Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 24076, Paul Downs, Continental Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental Mass.
Downs, Paul Lydia
No. 24076
CONTENTS

Name 21.350
Paul Downs of Acton in the State of Maine who was a Private in the by Captain of the Regt by Lt. Grafton in the Mass line for 17 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Maine at the rate of 36 Dollars 67 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 th day of Sept 1833 and Sept 1833 Rumball Lebanon Me
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 $41.67 Semi-ant. allowance ending Mar 34 - 28.33 $70.00
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by N. M. Dinsmore Clerk, Book Vol. 1st Page 12

Sister W. Allison Augt. 23. 4
Maine - L 122
Sylvia Downs, widow of Paul Downs, who was a pensioner under the Act of 7 th June '32, and who died on the 16 th May 1837, of Back in the State of Maine who was a Pvt. in the County commanded by Captain ____ of the Regt commanded by Greene in the State line for 17 mos
Inscribed on the Roll of Maine at the rate of $6 Dollars 67 1 / 2 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1836. 17 th May 1837
Certificate of Pension issued the 6 th day of Sep r 39, and sent to J. S. Kimball, and Lebanon, Me.
Arrears to the 4 th of Sep r - $ Semi-annual allowance ending
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by R. Burdin Clerk, Book A Vol. 15 Page 9.

Paul Dorns
8201

State of Maine.
COUNTY OF YORK, SS.
ON this twenty-second day of August personally appeared before the Court of Probate for said county, now sitting of the as aforesaid, Paul Downs a resident of Acton in the county of York and State of Maine aged seventy five -- years who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. That he enlisted in the army of the United States in the year 1775 with Capt. Philip Stubbs and served in the Fannons regiment of the Massachusetts line, under the following named officers: in the year 1775 in the month of July 9th the said Paul Downs went up from Berwick County of York and the Dist. of Maine where I then lived to take the place of my brother Ichabod Downs who was at Cambridge Mass who was then sick and now able to do duty - I served in place of my brother till the last of the year of 1775 when my brother Ichabod came up of said place. Our Capt was Philip and I returned home - First Lieut Jeremiah Stubbs of said Berwick - First Lieut Jeremiah Goodwin - Second Lieut James Roberts all of said Berwick - James Fannons was Colo. Lieut Colo was Johnson Moulton from York - Daniel Wood of Berwick was Major - I in January 1776 enlisted in the War of the Revolution under Capt. Moses Whitney of Newbury for twelve months - I passed muster at Cambridge Mass. Pillsbury was first Lieut - Second Lieut was the Dyer - the junior Colo John Green's Regiment - Lieut Colo was the Dose
Our Major was Loring - Genl. Arnold commanded our Brigade - He remained at Cambridge till the Regulars left Boston in March I think - I was taken sick about this time and after the hospital - The main Army marched off and left me in the hospital - I joined the Army again at Tyconderoga in the State of New York where we were stationed during the summer of 1776 till October of said year - We then marched to Albany from Albany to New Windsor, from there into the Jerseys to Morristown where we were discharged the last day of December 1776 after some that night orders were read from Genl Washington stating that all who would stay four weeks longer should receive ten dollars - So I stayed the four weeks - During said weeks we were at Newark and Elizabeth Town where we took a prize - a vessel loaded with Bligh - lumber and war stores - She was soon after discharged at the sign of the Black Stone in Newbury - I served as a private soldier -
I have once been on the Pension list Roll of the Dist. of Maine by order under the Act of 1818 for want of property.

like a lot of such you - The same was from Albany to New Windsor; from them, into the quarters to West Point where we were dis- charged the last day of December 1776 after some of that night orders were read from Genl Washington who stating that all who would stay four weeks longer should receive ten dollars - So I stayed the four weeks - During said weeks we were at Newark and Elizabeth Town where we took a prize - a vessel loaded with Bligh- lenders and war stores - She was soon after dis- charged at the sign of the Black Stone in New York - I served as a private soldier -
I have once been on the Pension list roll of the State of Main State under the Act of 1818 and was dropped on account of property I was born at said Benne in the 1757 in the month of June when I think till I returned to the place where I now live about fifty years since
I have no documentary evidence of either campaign
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any State, or (if any,) only on that of the agency in the State of his  his  his
Witness Rev. D. D. Dyer
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Paul X Downs mark
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion that the abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I, Wm. Cutter Allen Registrar Clerk of the Court of Probate aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Paul Downs for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this twenty second day of August, A.D. 1832.
Wm. Cutter Allen, Registrar of Probate.

Lyle Downs

State of Maine } ss. County of York } A.D. 1838 On this fifth day of September personally appeared before the Hon Wm. A. Hayes judge of the Court of Oyer & terminer in and for the County of York aforesaid Lydia Downs a resident of Hinton in the County of York aforesaid aged seventy nine years who being duly sworn according to law as the in her oath spoke the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed July the 7, 1838 entitled An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows
That she is the widow of Paul Downs late of said Hinton who was a private soldier in the War of the Revolution and obtained a pension of the United States under the act of Congress of June the 7, 1832
She further declares that she was married to said Paul Downs on the twenty second day of January in seventeen hundred and seventy eight at Berwick in said County by William Doolittle a Baptist minister in said Berwick
That her husband the aforesaid Paul Downs died on the sixteenth day of May A.D. 1837 at said Hinton
That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January seventeen hundred and ninety four in at the time above named - That she is still the widow of said Paul Downs having never been married to any other person
Witness
Wm. A. Hayes J. S. Kinsell
Lydia Downs her mark

Subscribed & sworn to by the said Lydia Dowens on the day and year first above written Before me Wm A. Hayes Judge of Probate York County Maine - - -
I certify that the said Lydia Dowens by reason of her great age and bodily infirmity is unable to travel and attend court
Wm A. Hayes Judge of Probate York County Maine
Lydia Dowens
State of Maine.
York county ss. I Mr. Luther Allen, Register of the Court of Probate of the County and State aforesaid, hereby certify that the Hon. Wm. A. Hayes, is the Judge of the Court of Probate of said County of York, and that his signatures herunto annexed are his genuine sig- natures.
In testimony whereof I have herunto affixed the seal of said Court, and sub- scribed my name this fifteenth day of June, 1839.
Wm. Luther Allen, Reg. Prob. York Co.

Extract from the Records of the town of Berwick in the county of York, and state of Maine viz
"Seventeen hundred & seventy seven December the twenty sixth, Paul Darrow and Lydia Pray, published"
"Certificate granted January the twentieth seventeen hundred & seventy eight."
I Joseph Prime clerk of said town of Berwick certify that the foregoing is a true extract as it is on the records except the dates, which are expressed on the records in fair legible words and figures as follows, viz. 1777 Decemr 26 Paul Darrow and Lydia Pray, published."
"Certificate granted January 20, 1778"
Joseph Prime - clerk of said town of Berwick
I Joseph Prime above named depose, testify and say, that I held the office of town clerk of said town of Berwick, and that the above is a true extract from the records of the same town except the dates as above stated - I also depose testify & say that I have made diligent search for the record of the marriage of the said Paul Darrow & Lydia Pray on the town Records of Berwick - I can find no record thereof - I have no doubt they were married as they were respectable people & always lived together as husband & wife & were repu- ted to have been married - I have been at their house while they lived at Lebanon, and never heard their marriage questioned
Joseph Prime Town Clerk
State of Maine, county of York ss, On this sixteenth day of December in the year eighteen hundred

of thirty eight personally appeared the said Joseph P. Minns Esquire and made oath that the foregoing Deposition by him subscribed is true
Before me. Wm. A. Hayes Just. Peace
I William A. Hayes, the before named Justice of the Peace certify that the said Joseph P. Minns is well known to me, that he is a man of truth and veracity, and that his statements under oath are entitled to full credit - I also certify that to my knowledge the said Joseph P. Minns is taken Clerk of Bennington
Wm. A. Hayes Just Peace

State of Maine.
York ss
At the District Court for the Eastern District begun and held at Alfred within & for the County of York on the second Monday of February A.D. 1844.
Personally appeared, in open court, Miram A. Downs of Acton in said County of York aged forty four years who being first duly sworn, states that he is the son of Lydia Downs , late of said Acton deceased, who received a pension, as the widow of Paul Downs , late of said Acton deceased, which amounted to fifty six dollars & sixty seven cents per annum under the Act of July 7 th A.D. 1838 from the 16 th day of May A.D. 1837. to the 4 th of March A.D. 1841.
That his father said Paul Downs died on the 16 th of May A.D. 1837.
That his mother said Lydia Downs died on the 24 th of April A.D. 1842
and that he now claims that he now claims the arrears of pension due from the 4 th of March A.D. 1836 to the 16 th of May A.D. 1837. and that his mother left, when she died, the following named

children, namely, Hiram A. Downs, myself, Peter Downs. Selected Downs, Hannahs Raps Charlotte Leona & Matilda Mack
Hiram A. Downs
Sworn & subscribed this thirteen day of February A.D. 1844 and the foregoing facts were satisfactori ly proved in open Court
Before me Daniel Goodenow
State of Maine York County } ss.
I William Trafton, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts within and for said county of York, do hereby certify, that Daniel Good- enow, is Judge of the District Court, Western Dis- trict, duly commissioned and qualified; that his commission was dated on the eleventh day of December 1841, and will expire on the eleventh day of December 1848, and that his signature above written is genuine.
Given under my hand and the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court for said State this thirteenth day of February, 1844.
William Trafton, Clerk

Jan Feb 24 1844
Lydia Downs Maine
arrears,
amt 30.00
W. S. Allison Present

8201
Paul Dous
April 9 th 1883
Obj 18.
8201.
Prat 17 Months
$ 325
Obj 18
July 25. 1883
 56.69 2  113.34  28.33   141.67 
Increase L. Rimbale Esq. Lebanon Maine
E

BRIEF in the case of Paul Downs  of Acton in the State of Maine  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? open Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 75 years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.      Downs - In 1775 1776  1  4 weeks more by Genl Washington's request   5   Private   Genl. Col o Scammon  Col o Green Col o Vose   
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Berwick Maine  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? By living witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?  The Papers are not attached together or registered  
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Richard Dittler Examining Clerk.

Dear This Bureau can furnish the military record of only such Revolutionary soldiers as were pensioned or whose widows were pensioned for their services.
Such of the original muster and pay rolls of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 as are now in the possession of the Government are on file in the Record and Pension Office, War Department. Original rolls and other records pertaining to service in the Revolutionary War may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original States.
L. W. B. W. 24076.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C.,
O. W. & N. DIV.
REVOLUTIONARY.
December 9th, 1897.
Sir:-
Replying to your request for information concerning Paul Downs , a soldier of the Revolutionary war, you are advised that he made an application for pension on September 2nd, 1819, at which time he was 63 years of age and residing at Shepleigh, Mass., and his pension was allowed for seventeen months' actual service as a private in the Mass. troops, Revolutionary war; a part of the time he served under Capt. Whiting and Col. Greaton. He enlisted at Berwick, Maine.
His widow, Lydia, made application and received a pension for the service of her husband as above set forth.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Mr. William E. D. Downes,
8405 Main St.,
Chestnut Hill, Penna.
(Philadelphia).

OLD WAR & NAVY NOV 30 1897 FILES.

8405, Main St., Chestnut Hill, Pa.
Bureau of Pensions, Dept. of Interior
D
Gentlemen:— Please send me what particulars you can in regard to Paul Downs—York Co.—Maine Pensioner—Served in Mass. Continentals in the Revolution
To oblige
Yours respectfully
Wm. E. D. Downs

William Vina, Penna
24076 WIDOW, &c.
Dec. 9/97 - Hist. to 71 E. D. Downes - Philadelp
File No. 24076
Lydia Downs Wid of Paul Downs Brn Mass line
Act: July 7th 1838
Index: — Vol. A , Page 190
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Maine. 17,627.
Paul Downs, R
of York co ty in the state of Maine who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Greadon, of the Massachus ts line, for the term of one year.
Inscribed on the Roll of Maine, at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 2 d of September, 1819.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19. of July, 1820 and sent to Benj m Greene, Judge, South-Berwick, Maine.
Arrears to 4th of March, 1820. $: 48.76.
Semi-ann. all'ce ending 4. Sept. 1820. 48 "
  5 mo. 29  } 1820. $: 96.76.    4 30    31   
{ Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818. }
See Extra depositions enclosed in this envelope.
Sept 30 th for pension certificate and authentication of papers. Increase of R. R. R. Simon N o 230 13.10.

J. G. Kimball Lebanon
else

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
26 July '33
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Paul Dous.
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.      
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers :
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers. In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Miss Downs Payable on the 4th March and 4th September of each year, by the Cumberland Bank, in Portland, Maine,
No pension is payable until the arrival of one or the other of the above dates, after the issue of a Certificate. th
Payable up to the 4. March, 1820. Before any payment there- after a schedule of property must be exhibited.
Registered, by Benj a L Beall Clerk, in book B, volume 13 th page 42

War Department.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I CERTIFY that, in conformity with the Law of the United States, of the 18th March, 1818, Paul Downs, of York County, Maine — # — # — # late a private — # — # in the Army of the Revolution, is inscribed on the Pension List, Roll of the Maine — # Agency, at the rate of Eight — dollars per month, to commence on the Second — day of September , one thousand eight hundred and nineteen .
GIVEN at the War Office of the United States, this nineteenth day of July , — one thousand eight hundred and twenty .
J. C. Calhoun Secretary of War.
17, 627

Lebanon, Maine
L. R. Fales
July 8. 1839
Sir, I herewith enclose & forward to your Office the claim to a pension of Lydia Down widow of Paul Downes late of the town of Newely Pensioner died -
You will please credit all communications to the undersigned, and oblige
Your O bt Serv t J. S. Kimball
L. Edwards Esq r
Comm ee of Pensions
Washington
D. C.

Paul Downs Me. act 7 June when last pd! G.M.B.
36 aug. 38 —
Dec 16 th May 1834 / 07. that issued 24

I Ralph Farnum of Acton in the County of York and State of Maine aged seventy six years, do testify and say that I well knew Paul Downs a soldier in the War of the Revolution in the year 1775 at Cambridge Mass about five months said Downs served with me in the Company of Capt Philips Hubbard at Cambridge - said Downs took the place of his Brother Ichabod Downs who was sick and left the Army the last of June 1775 - said Paul was a substitute for Ichabod and served till the last of October of said year when his Brother came back and Paul went home
Ralph Farnham
Acton August 22, 1832
County of York ss August 22, 1832 The above named Ralph Farnham to me is well known to be a man of truth and on the day and year last above named said Farnham personally appeared and made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed Before me
Innocent S. Kimball Justice of Peace
I George Fall of Lebanon in the County of York and State of Maine aged seventy eight years, do testify and say that in the year 1776 I was a soldier in the War of the Revolution at Tyendinaga - Paul Downs then from Berwick in said County was a soldier at Tyendinaga with me though not in the same Company - said Downs was in the Massachusetts Line, I knew said Downs several months in the year 1776 a soldier in the Company of Capt Moses Whiting and Col. John Grafton's Regiment - said Downs and I were well acquainted with each other before we went to service - I was frequently with said Downs during said year 1776 - observed as a private soldier - I understood at the time said Downs year for which he enlisted was up, that he served one month longer as a volunteer. In the course of the month he served as a volunteer, the Regiment to which said Downs was attached, captured a ship of war loaded with warlike stores at Elizabeth Town and I the said Fall helped to guard the prisoners taken from said ship from Morristown to the Berkshires in the State of New York
George Fall
Lebanon August 22, 1832
County of York ss. August 22, 1832 The above named George Fall to me is well known to be a man of truth and integrity, and on the day and year last above named said George Fall personally appeared and made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed -
Before me
Innocent S. Kimball Justice of Peace

State of Maine York ss I William Cutter Allen, Register of the Court of Probate for said County, hereby certify that Mearon S. Kimball is a justice of the Peace for said County as above stated and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine
In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this twenty second day of August A.D. 1832.
Wm. Cutter Allen, Register of Probate.

Deposition of David . David - proving the service of Sam. Resnick & W. Rogers -

I Daniel Lord of Eliot in the County of York aged sixty Seventyone years testify and say that I well know, Samuel Remick of Eliot and Thomas Rogers of Hiltley in said County and that they serv'd nine months and more on the continental establishment in the company commanded by Capt. Daniels in Col. Pierre Longs Regiment, New Hampshire line; I myself serving in the same company and Regiment with them in the years 1776 & 1777
Daniel Lord
County of York ss. July 9 th 1820 subscribed and sworn to the day and year before written —
Before me Caleb Emery Justice Peace
State of Maine
Josh. J. D. Buffum chief justice of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the first eastern Circuit in the State aforesaid do hereby certify that the above named Caleb Emery is a justice of the peace for the County of York duly authorized and empowered to take and administer oaths.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 4 th day of July A.D. 1820
J. D. Buffum

Deposition of John Gaster - proving the issue of
John Hance Edward Staples
Thomas Rogers
William Welch
Sam. Kenrick
Wilson Mitchell
Amos Williams 3
Edmond Hutchings

I John Carter of Hittery in the State of Maine aged Sixty one years testify and say, that I well know John Stacy, Edward Staple, Thomas Rogers, William Welch, Samuel Remick, William Mitchel, Amos Williams, and Edmund Hutchens of Hittery and Eliot in said State of Maine, and that they the said Stacy, Staple, Rogers, Welch and Remick, did serve in the year 1776 and 1777 Nine months and more in continuance on the continental establishment in Capt. Daniels company and Col. Pierce Longs Regiments New Hampshire line, and that the said Mitchel, Williams and Hutchens did serve at the same time in Capt. Salters company same Regiment nine months and more in continuance on the continental establishment - And further I do well remember that said men were enlist- ed as continental soldiers, that they were paid as continental soldiers, that they served under continental officers, and were on the continent- al establishment as I have above stated - I myself being in the same Regiment at the same time -
John Carter
State of Maine York ss. On this 4 th day of July A.D. 1820 before me the Subscribers Chief Justice of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the first District thereof in the State of Maine, personally appears the above named John Carter, who is a credible and disinterested witness, who being first duly sworn according to law, he upon his oath does say that the fore- going deposition by him subscribed is true - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand at the day and year above written. - Benj Green

Deposition of W m Hance - proving the service of John Hance Edward Hupler, Thomas Rogers W m Welch 3 Sam l Kenrick

I William Stacy of York in the County of York aged sixty two years testify and say that I well know John Stacy, Thomas Rogers, Samuel Remick, Edmund Staple and William Welch of Eliot and Hitting in said County, and that they the said Stacy, Rogers, Remick, Staple and Welch did serve in the years 1776 & 1777 Nine months and more in continuous service on the continental establishment in Capt. Daniels company & Col Pierce Longs Regt New Hampshire line, and I do well remember that said men were enlisted as continental soldiers, that they were paid as continental soldiers, that they served under continental officers, and were on the continental establishment as I have above stated - William Stacy
State of Maine
York ss. On this fourth day of July A.D. 1820 before me the subscriber chief justice of the circuit Court of Common Pleas for the first eastern Circuit in the State aforesaid, personally appears the above named William Stacy, who is a credible & disinterested witness, & who being first duly sworn according to law, he upon his oath does say that the foregoing deposition by him subscribed is true -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this day & year above written
Benj. Green

Deposition of Brigs Leach proving the service of Amos Williams W. M. Mitchell Dm. Hutchings

I Benjamin Leach of Hattley in the County of York aged Sixty Six years testify and declare that I well know Amos Williams, William Mitchell, and Edmund Fletcher all of Hattley in said County, and that they served in the Company commanded by Capt Salton and in Col Pierce Longs Regiment New- Hampshire line Nine months and more in continuance in the year 1776 and 1777 — on the continental establishment and I do well remember that said men enlist- ed as continental soldiers, that they served under continental officers, that they were paid as continental soldiers, and were on the continental establishment as I have above testified, I being in the same company and Regiment at the same time —
State of Maine
Benj Leach
York ss.
On this 1 st day of July A.D. 1820.
Before me the subscriber, chief justice of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the first eastern circuit in the State of Maine, personally appears the above named Benj Leach, who is a credible and disinterested witness, & who being first duly sworn according to law, he upon his oath does say that the deposition by him subscribed is true.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this day & year above written.
Benj. Green

5777 Lydia Downs. Me act 7 July 38 m 78. d 37
adm'd 17 mrs $ 58. 67/100 Died 16 May '37 pen: com: 17 May '37
J. S. Kimball Lebanon Me

Inverness & Kintyre Justice of Peace
State of Maine.
To all.
I Wm. Cutter Allen, Register of the Court of Probate of the county and state aforesaid, do hereby certify that Inverness S. Kimball, Esq. is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said county, duly com- missioned and qualified; that his commission was dated on the twenty-third day of March 1837, and will expire on the twenty-third day of March 1844, and that his signature above written is gen- uine.
Given under my hand and the seal of said Court this second day of July, 1839.
Wm. Cutter Allen, Regr. Prob. York Co.

goshua Smith

I Joshua Brackett of Acton in the County of York and State of Maine aged eighty one years do testify, depose and say, that I am well acquainted with Lydia Downs widow of Paul Downs late of said Acton deceased, who was a Revolutionary Pensioner. Said Paul died at said Acton on the 16th day of May 1837 - I was at his funeral and saw him buried. I knew him before he was married to his now widow. He lived in Berwick and married Lydia Day of said Berwick in January 1778. We were near neighbours; but I was not at the wedding. Soon after marriage, they moved when he died in said Acton; and I have ever known them to be man and wife and to bring up a family of children. He married the next year after I was at the taking of Burgoyne in 1777. His widow is still living unmarried at said Acton, also lived in Berwick. Joshua Brackett
State of Maine } S. Nov 5, 1838 Subscribed and sworn County of York } to by the above named Joshua Brackett Before me
I Increase S. Kimball Justice of Peace for the County of York aforesaid, certify, that the above named Joshua Brackett is well known to me to be a man of truth and strict veracity, and statements made by him are entitled to full credit. I. S. Kimball Justice of Peace

5541. Paul Down - York county, Maine, 2 d September, 1819.
Col: Greateon's regt. Massachusetts line - 1 year - Jan'y, 1776.
Not found on the rolls.
It is required, that two or more disinterested and credible persons, Certified as such, by the judge , prove 9 months service of the applicant, in continuance , on Continental estab t .
Adm. Service proved by two credible witnesses.
Benjamin Greene, judge South - Berwick, Maine, rec d 27. Dec r 1819.

State of Maine
Josh Jr. I Buff Green chief justice of late circuit Court of Common Pleas for the first eastern circuit in the State of Maine do hereby certify, that I am personally acquainted with Paul Downs and with Daniel Wadsworth , and Maturin Ricker (whose depositions are annexed to Paul Downs' declaration, & by whom his issues for more than 9 months in continuance on continental establishment are clearly proved) and that they are all men of unquestionable veracity. Daniel Wadsworth & Maturin Ricker are both credible & disinterested witnesses.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 10 th day of July A.D. 1820
Buff Green
for late the barry that that very Henry 1810 the the Pleas for the 18 th
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this eighteenth day of December Anno Domini, 1818.
Buff Green

I Daniel Madia of Sanford in the county of York Commonwealth of Massachusetts yeoman late a soldier in the Army of the Revolution testify & on solemn oath declare that I served one year in the revolutionary army in 1776 in Capt n White's Company in Col o John Grafton's Reg t Massachusetts Line. That I was then then now all acquainted with Paul Downs of Shapleigh in said County yeoman, and know that sd Downs served with me in said company during the whole of said year, was discharged at Morriston & Fanny and came home with me.
Daniel Madia
Com th of Massachusetts York ss.
On this second day of Sep r A D 1810 the above named Daniel Madia a disinterested & creditable witness personally appeared and made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed
Before me,
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Charles Greene, Jus Peace. York ss. I Brng r Greene Chief justice of the Circuit Court of Com. Pleas for the first Eastern Circuit in said Commonwealth do hereby certify that the above named Charles Greene is a justice of the peace for the County of York duly authorized & empowered to take & administer Oaths.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this 18 th day of December A D 1810 Brng r Greene

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
YORK, ss. } ON this second day of September A. D. 1816, before me the subscriber, Chief Justice of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the first Eastern Circuit in said Commonwealth, personally appears Paul Bown aged sixtythree years resident in Shapleigh in said county of York, who being by me first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the late act of Congress, entitled "an Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War:"— That he said Paul Bown in the month of January A.D. 1776 enlisted as a private soldier into the Army of the United States under Capt. Whiting of Col. Gration's Regiment Massachusetts Line for the term of twelve months, and continued to do his duty in said Company and Regiment until the time for which he had enlisted had fully expired, when he was honorably discharged at Merrimack, but recd. no written discharge
That he is reduced in his circumstances and needs the assistance of his country for support, and that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said services.
Sworn to and declared before me the day and year above said.
Benj t Greene
I, BENJAMIN GREENE, Chief Justice of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the first Eastern Circuit, in the Commonwealth aforesaid, do certify, that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Paul Bown did serve in the revolutionary war against the common enemy, as he has stated in his declaration aforesaid—and that he is reduced in his circumstances, and needs the assistance of his country for his support.—And I do now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me to the Secretary for the Department of War, pursuant to the directions of the before mentioned act of Congress.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this
eighteenth day of December Anno Domini, 1816.
Benj t Greene